The Red Cross Society of China on Thursday donated 50,000 US dollars to the Red Crescent Society of Algeria to help victims of a powerful earthquake that hit north Algeria on Wednesday.

The Chinese Ambassador to Algeria, Wang Wangsheng, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, handed a cheque of 50,000 US dollars to Abdelkader Boukhroufa, chairman of the Red Crescent Society of Algeria.

The money is the first relief fund the Red Crescent Society has received since the quake.

Wang conveyed deep condolences of the Chinese government and the Red Cross Society of China over the death of hundreds of people in the quake and sympathy to the injured and the bereaved families.

Boukhroufa thanked the Red Cross Society of China for its help.

At least 1,092 people have died since the earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit the Algerian capital of Algiers and surrounding areas Wednesday night, according to local media.